The USCG is planning to remove the CG Helo from Charleston in November. TowBoat US Charleston and Sea Tow Charleston are very concerned with this decision.This is a vital resource for those who venture offshore. It also has increasingly more impact on those who venture offshore the farther north from Savannah you are. The response time to MI and MB is drastically impacted. The Helo is a resource that acts not only as a recovery asset but is also relied upon for Communication relays and situational assessment. Numerous cases when the VHF signal is too weak or compromised and valuable time is lost as the required assets are not launched until the Helo bridges the communication gap. Once on scene the Helo gets a true assessment of what is needed. All this in fractions of time compared to a water bound asset. In addition to extended travel time this will also severely restrict the on scene and search time capabilities due to fuel constraints. These are only a few negatives that don’t even address emergency medical situations. I strongly encourage you to contact BOTH Senators Graham and Scott and voice your concerns. Graham 864-250-1417 Scott 843-727-4525
That is unbelievable CG Charleston watched over me once on a bad night and I could have kissed them. That will spread CG Tybee real thin. I live in GA but will also contact my representatives about this.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I just got my tax bill for my hull and outboard. You would think as many boats are in Charleston they would make budget cuts elsewhere. Of course as much as I (and you)pay in taxes you would think we could have boat ramps that were not severely overcrowded and had enough parking.
This is terrible. I know for me it’s always a reassuring sight to see them flying down the beach when I’m just offshore in my little boat. I don’t get to do it much, but it is comforting to know they are always close by. I will call both on Monday and voice my concerns.
I said above that this would stretch the Savannah CG helos real thin, but it gets worse, Savannah is loosing 2 of theirs also. Not good.
quote:
Coast Guard to reduce local fleet
Coast Guard to reduce local fleet
Posted: Oct 15, 2014 7:07 PM EST Updated: Oct 15, 2014 7:23 PM EST
By Elizabeth Rawlins
Connect
SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - The Georgia and South Carolina coast will soon have fewer life-saving resources nearby.
Coast Guard officials have confirmed they will lose two search-and-rescue helicopters stationed at Hunter Army Airfield. One of those helicopters serves the Coast Guard Air Facility in Charleston which is also closing next month.
Over the next year, the number of Coast Guard choppers stationed at HAAF will drop from five to three, all because of budget cuts.
One of those helicopters flies from Savannah to Charleston every day to patrol the coast, but after Nov. 30, that will no longer happen. Coast Guard officials said they are closing the facility to save money, so they’ll be relocating that helicopter, along with another one stationed in Savannah, to other Coast Guard locations.
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Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
CG Charleston watched over me once on a bad night and I could have kissed them. That will spread CG Tybee real thin. I live in GA but will also contact my representatives about this.